Complaint
This online article reflected the experience of a drag artist who was the first to read stories to children in UK libraries. A reader complained that, while the article made clear that the drag artist’s readings had given rise to protest, it contained no reflection of the protesters’ grounds for concern. He also complained that it made no mention of past actions by the drag artist which were both controversial and relevant. The ECU considered the complaint in the light of the BBC’s editorial standards of impartiality.
Outcome
The past actions in question consisted of fundraising to help pay for the funeral of a friend who had died at the age of 39 and had previously been convicted of child sexual offences. Because these offences were not committed by the drag artist and related to a time when the dead friend cannot have been more than 16 himself, the ECU did not consider them relevant to the subject-matter of the article and found they raised no issue of impartiality. Likewise the segments of the article which reflected the hate messages and physical attack the drag artist had been subject to did not call for a balancing view. However, the article also contained a strong element of advocacy in favour of Drag Queen Story Time UK. In view of the long-running and ongoing controversy about the project, the ECU judged that due impartiality required some reflection of the viewpoint of those who object to it.
Partly Upheld
Further action
The finding was reported to the management of BBC England and discussed with the editorial team responsible. The article will be amended to reflect the finding.
